Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340
Volume 3, Number 3 (2016) : 32-36
©Arya PG College, Panipat & Business Press India Publication, Delhi
www.aryapgcollege.com, www.apcjournals.com
Impact Assessment of National Agricultural Technology Project in Terms of Social Drivers for Psychological Well-Being of Women
1. Ella Rani*,2. Vandana Verma,3. Sarita Verma & 4. Binesh Goyat
1 Assistant Scientist, 2 Assistant Professor, 3 Research Scholar & 4 Agriculture Development Officer
Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, COHS ,CCS HAU, Hisar
(Haryana), India
*Email: raniella9@gmail.com
Introduction
Women in rural areas play an important role in various farm operations both as cultivators and agricultural labourers. They participate in the many of the agricultural operations like sowing, weeding, irrigation, fertilizing harvesting etc. Not only this, after a day’s hard work when they used to come back home, they have to cook meal for the family. However, the female work participation conceals much of the work done and time spent by rural women in farm, dairy and home activities. Women’s contribution to agriculture is poorly understood and their specific needs are ignored in development planning due to lack of available gender disaggregated data. However there still remains a wider gap in their knowledge and skills which are needed for contribution to fullest extent. Rural women generally have poor access to agricultural services and information. Today sufficient emphasis has now been laid on planned and desirable changes through training and rural development programmes to improve the psychological and socio economic status of rural women. The best alternative to make use of natural and potential capabilities of farm women is to provide them with opportunities for self development through training, which means transfer of technologies for improving the existing knowledge and skill, enhanced capabilities, decision making and confidence which improves the competency and help in getting assured income from the farming enterprises towards psychological satisfaction. Recognizing the importance of empowerment of women, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research started a giant National Agricultural Technology Projects in different modes throughout the country. One of these projects in mission mode was carried out by the department of Home Science Extension Education (Co-Center), CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar (Haryana). The aim of the project was to empower women farmers to reduce their drudgery in the context of Agriculture, animal husbandry and to enhance their entrepreneurial skills for improved psychological well-being. The present study was undertaken with the objective to study the impact of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) on the respondents in terms of income, confidence building, capacity building, decision making, nutrition and health status and social empowerment by rural women.
Methodology
The Hisar district covering Haryana state was selected purposively for the purpose of investigation where NATP on “Empowerment of Women in Agriculture" was carried for three years by the Department of Home Science Extension Education (Co-Center), CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar (Haryana). A sample of 180 beneficiaries from each of the villages covered under project was drawn randomly from experimental group.
Results and Discussion
Economic Aspect
It is apparent from the data in Table 1 that actually the beneficiaries reported that there was an increase in their income as a result of being beneficiaries of NATP, which got first rank (2.88). Second rank (2.87) was given to the increase in the expenditure (2.87) by the respondents, followed by saving (2.83), investment (2.69), marketing (2.48), control over income (2.46) and returning of loan (2.37) as a result of impact of the project on the actual beneficiaries.
Conclusively, it can be seen from the above results that the project under reference succeeded in increasing income, expenditure, and saving of the respondents. It also provided additional and regular income to its beneficiaries. The findings are in consonance with the results of Depti (2008).
Confidence Building
Information on confidence building as an impact on account of project is presented in Table 2. On the basis of mean scores, it can be inferred that respondents reported an increase in confidence building to deal with family issues (Ist rank), SHG meetings (II nd rank), societal and other issues (IIIrd rank) and to deal with private institutions/organizations (IVth rank).
Decision Making
The results regarding impact of the project on decision making pattern of the respondents are presented in Table 3. It was found that a huge majority of the respondents reported an increase in making decisions regarding buying and selling of valuables like grains, animals, which got first rank (2.88). Increase in decision making was also reported in making decisions for children's education (2.87), family resource planning (2.83), property and household goods (2.71) and others (social/festivals/voting etc.) (2.68) on account of them being beneficiaries of the project. Further, an increase in making decisions about daily household expenditure/ requirements (2.65), family and social functions requirements (2.41) and others (Social festivals/ voting etc (2.41) was reported by the respondents as point of impact of the project.
Nutrition and Health Aspects
The impact of the project on nutrition and health aspects were also studied (Table 4). It was found that most of the respondents showed an increase in expenses on health care (2.73), sale of food items (Milk/ghee/grains) (2.73), availability of milk for family consumption (2.48) and expenditure on other items (Purchase of vegetables/grocery etc.) (1.95) as a result of the project.
Social Empowerment
The results regarding impact in terms of social empowerment are presented in Table 5. It was observed that first rank was given to the communication skills (2.86), followed by participation in group activities (2.73), leadership aspects (2.67), team spirit (2.50), participation in village/community activities (2.42), and contact with government/officials (2.26) as a result of the project. It may be summarized that project could lay impact on different aspects of the respondents. Conclusively, majority of the respondents reported an increase in respect in family, understandability, confidence in dealing with family issues, decision making in buying and selling of grains and animals, increase in expenses on health case, sale of food items like ghee and milk and confidence and improvement in communication skills.
Social Empowerment
The results regarding impact in terms of social empowerment are presented in Table 5. It was observed that communication skills was given the first rank (2.86), followed by participation in group activities (2.73), leadership aspects (2.67), team spirit (2.50), participation in village/community activities (2.42), and contact with government/officials (2.26) as a result of the project. It may be summarized that project could lay impact on different aspects of the respondents. Conclusively, a large number of the respondents reported that there was an increase in respect in family, understandability, confidence in dealing with family issues, decision making in buying and selling of grains and animals, increase in expenses on health case, sale of food items like ghee and milk and confidence and improvement in communication skills.
Conclusions
NATP had impact in the form of increase in income, expenditure and saving in terms of economic aspects and unique recognition in family, understanding and solving problems, confidence to deal with family issues, buying and selling valuables, expenses on health care, expenditure on food items and communication skills. Most of the respondents marked an increase in understanding and solving problems independently, risk taking ability and visualizing things, respect/personal worth/unique recognition, self-respect in the community which can improve the psychological status of the women towards well-being.
References
Chikwendu DO (2002) Impact of Different Agricultural Extension Systems on Farmers in Nigeria. Journal of Extension System 18: 13-21.
Deori R and Sethi N (1994) Impact of Home Science Technologies Transmitted by College of Home Science to Farm Women in Haryana. (Ab) National Convention of Home Science and Symposium on Home Science for Rural Development. Dec. 15-16, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.
Deepti (2008) Impact Assessment of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) in Home Science on farm Women.M.Sc. Thesis, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.
